Polk Hall is named for Leonidas La Fayette Polk (1837-1892). He founded the Progressive Farmer magazine and pushed for a Land-Grant college to be established in North Carolina under the federal Morrill Act of 1862. Polk’s wish for a Land-Grant college was supported by the Watauga Club and what is now North Carolina State University was founded. Polk also served as president of the Farmer’s Alliance, a national organization which later became known as the People’s Party. Polk Hall was constructed in 1926.